Lack of snow threatens Beargrease sled dog race

The lack of snow is threatening the annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon along the North Shore of Lake Superior.

The Beargrease is scheduled to begin January 29th. The race board will meet on January 15th to decide whether conditions are safe. They could decide to cancel, reschedule or move the race.

The Beargrease was canceled in 2007, when a lack of snow near Duluth forced the race to move its starting line at least twice — once to Two Harbors and once to Grand Portage.

Moving it again isn't an option race coordinator Pat Olson likes. For the health of the race, she says, they need to start in Duluth, but that's not possible yet. And she says logistical issues make rescheduling difficult.